| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
|
GAME LOG
MONTREAL (AP) -- The Atlanta Braves didn't feel like they had
achieved anything worth celebrating.
|  | | Greg Maddux won his 19th game of the season. |
The Braves clinched their unprecedented ninth consecutive trip
to the playoffs and Greg Maddux extended his shutout streak to 36 1/3 innings in a 10-0 rout of the Montreal Expos on Saturday night.
"We knew we were going to the playoffs about two weeks ago, so
it's not that big a deal," Maddux said.
Reggie Sanders had six RBIs for the Braves, who remained 3½ games ahead of second-place New York in the NL East.
"It's very subdued, but we want to win the division, that's
what we're geared toward, so things are looking up for us,"
Sanders said.
The Braves ensured they will do no worse than win the NL wild card berth and lowered their magic number for clinching their ninth straight division title to five.
"I think our biggest goal right now is to win our division and
try to get some home-field advantage," Maddux said. "If we do win
our division, who knows, we might break out a bottle or two."
Maddux (19-8) allowed two hits in seven innings, tied his career
high with 13 strikeouts and walked one, lowering his ERA to 2.96.
He has allowed 18 hits during his shutout streak, which began on
Sept. 2, and won five straight starts.
"Mr. Maddux is the story," Expos manager Felipe Alou said.
"He was really, really sharp tonight. We know he's been on a roll
with a lot of shutouts and strikeouts. All of a sudden, he's a
strikeout guy again. You've got to give him credit."
Sanders hit a three-run double in the sixth off Scott Forster.
Galarraga and Brian Jordan singled in runs in the seventh ahead of
Sanders' 11th homer.
Felipe Lira (5-7) matched Maddux until the fifth, when he gave
up two runs. The Braves broke open the game against Montreal's
bullpen with three runs in the sixth and five in the seventh.
Sanders walked with two outs in the fifth, stole second, took
third on an error by catcher Brian Schneider and, after an
intentional walk to Paul Bako, scored on a single by Maddux. Rafael
Furcal's single made it 2-0.
Maddux struck out the side in order in the first and fifth, and
was perfect in the first, third, fifth, sixth and seventh innings,
retiring his last 11 batters following Jose Vidro's one-out single
in the fourth.
"Ten runs is 10 runs, no matter when you get them," Maddux
said. "Our offense was outstanding."
Maddux issued an intentional walk to Orlando Cabrera -- his only
walk of the game -- with two outs in the second to end a streak of
32 1/3 innings without a walk.
Vidro doubled in the second, his 48th of the season.
Game notes
Maddux threw 57 of 80 pitches for strikes. ... Sanders had
the third six-RBI game of his career. ... Montreal RHP Anthony
Telford planned to visit orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews in
Birmingham, Ala. Monday for additional evaluation of his right
shoulder tendinitis. ... Mike Remlinger and Kevin McGlinchy
completed the five-hitter.
| |
ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Atlanta Clubhouse
Montreal Clubhouse
RECAPS
NY Yankees 13
Detroit 8
Oakland 8
Seattle 2
Toronto 7
Tampa Bay 6
Boston 8
Baltimore 7
Chi. White Sox 5
Minnesota 3
Cleveland 11
Kansas City 1
Anaheim 15
Texas 4
Cincinnati 6
Houston 4
St. Louis 6
Chicago Cubs 5
Florida 3
Colorado 1
Arizona 7
San Francisco 5
San Francisco 9
Arizona 5
(2nd game)
Pittsburgh 4
Milwaukee 2
Milwaukee 5
Pittsburgh 4
(2nd game)
Atlanta 10
Montreal 0
NY Mets 7
Philadelphia 3
Los Angeles 2
San Diego 1
|
